Bringing an M35A2 out of the trees and back on the road

[targhee trucks]

If all the switches are off, and you are still getting sparks, you may have a voltage drain (short) somewhere.

Thanks for your reply, that sounds exactly like what I need to do. Good luck on yours too.

Jack

 

[MT4222]

Im subscribed. good luck getting your truck out of the woods.

Max

 

[MT4222]

Im subscribed. good luck getting your truck out of the woods.

Max

 

[willy]

You can mount a 24 volt light bulb in between your ground and your baterie.
Then when starting to disconnect thing if the light goes out you have your short.
Willy

 

[targhee trucks]

Oh Sweet Noise!

It started today! After a family member who is an electrician helped me figure out the correct way to connect the batteries to the series-parallel switch it fired up and ran.

Cranked it over 3 times, about 30 seconds each time, and it fired on the third try. After a few minutes of pumping the throttle while the engine warmed up it settled into a nice 700 rpm idle, IIRC oil pressure gauge read about 80, engine temp gauge about 145.

I ran it for about 5 minutes, then shut it off. Hit the starter button and it fired back up instantly.

Family members guessed that it was last run in the mid-1980's.

I didn't try to drive it, there are still some big trees that need to be cut down, but I did put it in gear and ease the clutch out and it moved.

I have a 20 second video of the engine running, but it still hasn't forwarded from my phone. Will post it when it comes through.

Going back tomorrow afternoon to clear the trees and drive it out. Will definitely have video of that.

Thanks to all who answered my questions, posted advice or offered encouragement.

Here's a picture of the battery connections:

 

[rednckii]

That is awesome i just sold all the cese i had due to a transfer with a deployment so the family is better off. But all i can say is that when i get back i wish i could be lucky enough to buy a house with an old relic to bring back to life sitting on it. Very happy to see you got it running and keep on trucking. It is getting to be a rare art form in getting these trucks running and driving instead of scrapping them.

 

[gungearz]

congratulations.... I he we all helped.out in one way or another. No need to cut them down now... You have a deuce now. Just drive it out.

 

[targhee trucks]

Video of engine running

M35a2 engine first start up - YouTube

 

[pinzgauer pete]

These trucks were built tough, that engine sounds good. I am sure that in a few days you can have most of the bugs worked out and actually drive the truck around. I would change all the hoses ,brake lines and fluids but after that drive it and see where you stand...GOOD JOB

 

[cattlerepairman]

The engine sounds....happy! No untoward sounds there. Good job!

 

[Danl]

Danl M915A1

M35a2 engine first start up - YouTube

What A great feeling you must of had when that baby touch off, Good job Hope you have great luck

 

[targhee trucks]

Thanks to all for your comments on the engine start. I've put a lot of time and effort into the 4 trucks I'm working on this summer. I've climbed up and down on fenders and in and out of engine compartments more times than I ever thought possible . Hearing that engine fire up yesterday and watching that cloud of black smoke roll around the cab as it warmed up made it all worth while.

Looking forward to driving it out of the trees later today.

Jack

 

[ridingshotgun]

YEAH!!!!! I had a feeling it would start! Nice Job! I'm sure there will be a few gremlins to chase out after sitting for so long, but man it is sure encouraging to hear about this success. Keep it up and keep us posted.

 

[dodgedougak]

Love that sound! Way to go.

 

[caliber1]

Sounds good to me!! Have fun making it roll for the first time in about 30 years!!

 

[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

Congratz on reviving a piece of history!!!

I am reminded of this "visual".....

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xos2MnVxe-c[/media]

 

[targhee trucks]

No driveout today

Well, the day didn't go the way I'd hoped, we didn't have enough time to drive it out.

I got out there just long enough to cut away some trees. There were two that had to go. I'll be backing the truck out, one tree had grown up right behind the rear wheels and I was afraid it would puncture tires if I tried to drive over it. The other had grown up behind the fuel tank and would have ripped it off.

Here's the view from behind the truck before I started cutting. I still have to move the trailer with the tank and cut off one more stump. Hoping to drive it out in the morning.

 

[Ferroequinologist]

Great Job! Very interesting work around for someone who figured out the 12v system.

I've resurrected many lost and forgotten things as of late. It is a wonderful feeling and the machines appreciate it, I can tell. They have been sitting so long they forgot how wonderful it is to 'live' again. Once they remember how good it is, they want to do it more and more.

I'm surprised no one else noticed the danger sticker on the tach was at 2900 rpm... someone not put the sticker on right, or the tach came from a LDS truck, or that is an LDS motor in that deuce. Hmmmm...

 

[patracy]

It's either a gauge swap or a incorrectly placed sticker. There's no turbo on the engine.

 

[Ferroequinologist]

hmmm missed that part. and I'm sure all LDS engines had turbos...

Unless you had a screw loose fella in the motorpool